Vanity case



March 31, 1931. A. H. METCALF 1,798,620

VANITY CASE Filed May 6, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 31, 1931. METCALF1,798,620

VANITY CASE Filed May 6, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (2.? M; 2. [3 M W775 IPatented Mar. 31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALPHA H. METGALF, OFATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SAART BROTHERS COMPANY, ACORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND VANITY CASE Application filed May 6, 1930.Serial No. 450,094.

. My invention relates to vanity cases or containers for face powder andcompacts, including rouge and other materials for facial application.

The essential objects of my invention are to facilitate, strengthen andcheapen the assemblage of the constituent parts of the case, and toinsure the effective sealing or confinement of the powder in itsreceptacle andthus avoid the escape of particles of powder that hasheretofore been a serious annoyance to the user; also to minimize theuse of solder throughout the structure. Other and ancillary objects ofthe invention will appear hereinafter.

To the above ends essentially my invention consists in such parts and insuch combinations of parts as fall Within the scope of the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vanity case embodying my invention,closed,

Figure 2, a plan of the same with the wings horizontally distended andthe interior. compartment covers or lids closed,

Figure 3, a similar plan of the same with the covers or lids elevated,

Figure 1, a diametrical section of the closed case taken on a linecorresponding to line H of Figure 2,

Figure 5, a section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2, omitting the pad,

Figure 6, a perspective view of -the hingedly connected abutment rings,and

Figure 7, a perspective view of one of th shells.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

As herein shown my casing includes lower and upper hingedly supportedwings 11 and 12 including respectively marginally tapering circularshells 13 and 14 similar to each other in size and shape, and providedin turn with integral inwardly directed marginal flanges 15 and 16formed by spinning over the peripheral edges of the shells. The shell 13performs the function of a body member, and the shell 14, a closuretherefor. The periphery and flange of each shell is cut away at anadjacent point to form oblong cavities 18.

A pair of resilient transversely split abutment rings 20 and 21 ofsimilar size and shape are engaged respectively with the shells 13 and14. Each ring is hollow and transversely rectangular, comprising ahorizontal wall 22 and a vertical wall 23. Hinge sleeves 25 and 26 uponthe rings 20 and 21 respectively, passing through the cavities 18 of theshells, surround a hinge pin 28 and form a hinged connection for thewings. It will be observed by reference to Figure 6 that prior toengagement with the shells the ends of the compressible resilient splitrings are amply spaced from each other as at 29. To assemble, each ringis manually compressed to overlap its ends, and in this positioninserted beneath the flange of its adjacent shell, and then released.Whereupon the overlapped ends slidably expand in opposite directionsunder the expansive impulse of the ring material until the ends thereofabut each other endwise. Thus the horizontal wall 22 of each ringtightly engages and presses against the shell wall and against theoverlapping flange 15 or 16 thereof. The lower edge of the vertical wall23 abuts against the inner face of the shell.

This construction, assemblage, and engagement of the rings with theflanged shells avoids defacement and expense resultant upon the use ofsolder.

A central receptacle 30 is formed in the wing 11 by a cup member 31comprising a.

base or bottom 32, a vertical side wall 33 terminating in an annulartransversely rounded bead, bearing, or seat 34 integral with which is aradially and downwardly inclined flaring flange 35 whose lower edge, as

well as the base 32, rests upon the shell 13.

Eli

ing of thin metal, and is provided with an annular transversely, roundedmarginal shoulder 38 forming an annular groove 39 in which ti 'htly fitsthe bead 34 of the cup. The central portion of the lid forms a seat 40for a pad or pull 41. The hinge of the lid in this instance consists ofa peripheral lug 42 upon the edge of the shoulder 38 terminating insleeves 43 extending into a slot 44 in the ring 20 and embracing a hingepin 46 hearing against the lower face of the wall 22. The lid is firmlypressed upon its seat by a laterally projecting peripheral tongue 48integral with or fixed to the lid and adapted to snap into engagementwith the lower face of a resilient horizontal lip 49 integral with thewall 22 of the ring 20 and projecting into the path of the tongue. Thelatter is integral with a horizontally disposed resilient clas'pingfinger 52 upon the margin of the lid adapted to overlap and clasp thepad 41. For the purpose of facilitating the elevation of the lid fromitseng'aged position a thumb n'ail catch 55 is provided consisting of anintegral inclined prong 56 cut from the ma terial of the finger 52. Inthe receptacle or pocket 30 formed by the cup member 31 is a cosmeticmaterial. either a compact or loose powder 57. The head 34 of the cupmember cooperates with the groove 89 of the lid to seal. the parts andthus prevents accidental escape of the powder particles.

In the wing 12 is a hollow annulus 58, which is bent from thin sheetmetal, comprising a horizontal wall 59 and outer and inner Verticalwalls 60 and 61 respectively. An annular hollow shoulder 62 upon theouter margin of the wall 59 extends to the horizontal plane of the wall22 ofthe abutment ring 21. The free 1 or the plate 64 extends into aslot 69 in the wall 22 of the abutment ring 21, and embraces a piutle 70hearing against the concave or lower face of the annulus wall shoulder62. Diametrically opposite the sleeve upon the plate 64 is an integraloutwardly inclined thumb piece 71 and an inwardly disposed spring tongueor'catch' 72 adapted to register 7 in a hole 73 in the wall 59. The well63 may iifi contain a compact or other cosmetic 76.

The fastening means for the wings 11 and 12 consist of a spring catch 78 mounted in the shell 13, engaging in a slot 7 9the wall 20 of theabutment ring 21'. In this instance the catch comprises a verticalresilient plate 81 firfed' at its lower end tothe shell 13 and whichprojects through a slot 82 in the ring 20, and is movable through theslot 79. A lip 83 integral with the upper portion of the plate 81engages the flange 16 of the shell 14. A push lug 85 fixed to anintermediate portion of the plate 81 slides in a slot 86 in the shell13.

In operation the shell of the case is manually opened by operating thecatch 78, and supporting the wing 11 upon the palm of the hand with thefingers of the same hand supporting the wing 12 at an upward incline bythe fingers. The lid may now be opened by means of the nail catch 55 toafford access to the powder in the receptacle 30 after removal of thepad 41. If the compact 76 is desired to be used the plate 64 may beraised by means of the thumb piece 71 and be allowed to rest in inclinedposition with its lower edge abutting against the abutment ring 21.Either the front or back of the plate 64 may be utilized as a mirroraccording to the preference of the user.

It will be observed that the hinge connections of both the lid 37 andcover 64:, and the thumb piece and catch of the latter are inexpensiveand novel, and the same is true of the catch 78.

I claim 1. In a vanity case, two hollow shells, two hingedly connectedabutment rings respectively surrounded by the shells, an annularreceptacle in one shell concentric with one ring, a lid for thereceptacle pivotally attached to said ring, a hollow annulus in thesecond shell snugly surrounded by the second ring including an innerwall constituting a well, and a mirror cover pivotally attached to theannulus for closing the well.

2. In a vanity case a shell, a ring surrounded by the shell and infrictional engagement therewith, an annular receptacle in the shelldisposed concentrically of the ring including a vertical wall supportedby the shell, a bead upon the top of the wall, and a lid pivotallyattached tothe ring provided with an annular groove inwhich the head isseated.

3. In a vanity case, a shell, a-res'ilient abutment ring seated in theshell, an annular receptacle'in the shell including a vertical wallconcentric with the ring, a bead upon'the top of the wallyand a flangeintegral with the bead frictionally engaging the ring, a lid pivotallyattached to the ring provided with a groove in which the bead is adaptedto register, an inwardly directed lip upon the ring, and a' tongue uponthelid adapted to engage the lip;

4:. In a vanity case, a shell. a split resilient abutment ring seated inthe shell, an annular rece tacle in the hell includin a vertical wallconcentric with the ring,a' bead upon the top of the wall, and a flangeintegral with the bead frictionally engaging the ring, a lid pivotallyattached to the ring provided with a groove in which the head isadaptedto register, an inwardly directed lip upon the ring, ahorizontally disposed clasping finger supported upon the margin of thelid adapted to overlap a. pad, and a thumb nail catch upon the finger.

5. In a vanity case, two hollow shells, peripheral flanges upon theshells, two hingedly connected, hollow, resilient split rings engagingthe shells respectively and respec tively overlapped by the flanges, oneof said rings being provided with a slot, an annular receptacle in oneshell abutting against its adjacent ring, a lid resting upon thereceptacle, a hinge sleeve upon the rib extending into the slot, a hingepin in the sleeve within the ring, a hollow annulus seated in the secondshell abutting against the second ring and provided with twodiametrically oppositely disposed slots, a cover resting upon theannulus, a hinge sleeve upon the cover registering in one of the slotsof the annulus, a pin in the last mentioned hinge sleeve within theannulus, a peripheral thulnbpiece on the cover, and a catch on the coveradjacent the catch registering in the second slot of the annulus.

6. In a vanity case, two hollow shells, peripheral flanges upon theshells, two hingedly connected hollow resilient split rings comprisinghorizontal walls overlapped by the flanges and engaging the shells, andvertical walls supported by the shells, the several horizontal wallsbeing respectively provided with slots, and one shell being providedwith a slot, an annular receptacle frictionally engaging one wall, anannulus frictionally engaging the other wall, and a catch comprising avertical resilient plate fixed at its lower end to one of the shells andextending through the slots in the two horizontal walls, a lip upon theupper portion of the plate, and a lateral push lug upon an intermediateportion of the plate slidable through the slot in the shell.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

ALPHA H. METOALF.

